Chambana Sun

Village of Homer Board of Trustees met March 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Those present: Village Trustees: Zach Wells, Kevin Knott, Guy James, Mike Johnson, Roy Woodmansee, and Charles Montgomery, Village Board President, Raymond Cunningham, Village Clerk, Sharon Jeffers, Treasurer, Cindy Pruitt, Maintenance, Bub Miller, Water, Ed Shirley, Sewer/Maintenance/Zoning, Dave Hermes, residents, Bill Mitchell, and Joe Bear.

Community input: Bill Mitchell stated that the GAR Cemetery would like to remove large tree at west end. Would like to know if the tree is on Village property. Village will look into it and report to Cemetery officials.

Board Comment: Mayor Raymond Cunningham reported that the Village has been named in the Will of the late Carl Goad. It states that funds willed may be spent without restrictions as long as it benefits the community. Village Clerk reported that we still need to find options for the gardens at the Caboose Park. Going to continue to search for volunteers. Going to reach out to the local Churches.

Minutes: Mike Johnson made the motion to approve Regular, Budget, Personnel, and Library minutes as presented and amended, Zach Wells Second the motion, all in favor, motion approved.

Village bills: Kevin Knott made the motion to pay Village bills as presented: Guy James second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

Transfer funds: Kevin Knott made the motion to transfer $50,000.00 from General Fund, $50,000.00 from Water, and $100,000.00 from Projects fund to eleven-month CD at the Prospect Bank, Zach Wells second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

Village Hall loan: Charles Montgomery made the motion to pay an additional $10,000.00 to the principle balance of the Village Hall loan, Guy James second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

Reports: Guy James made the motion to approve Treasurer, Water, Police, Maintenance, Sewer, Zoning, and Village Hall reports as presented, Charles Montgomery second the motion, all in favor, motion approved.

107 SEllen St: The board discussed selling property at 107 SEllen St. They will have Village Lawyer write up an agreement that will allow sell of property at a low price with the stipulation that a single-family home be built on the property with 12 month. Bids will be accepted, starting bid will be at $1. Will try to have agreement for review and approval at the April meeting.

Architect Service: Roy Woodmansee made the motion to accept the bid from Duzan Architecture Design in the amount of $4,480.00 to design the pavilion/restroom/concession stand at the Village Hall, Kevin Knott second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

TIF Intergovernmental agreements: Applications for funds from the Homer Fire Protection District and Heritage School District for 2017 TIF funds were presented, and will be sent to the TIF Lawyers for agreements to be written. Agreements will be presented at April meeting for approval. Still waiting for request from South Homer Township.

Water/Sewer Ordinance: The clerk would like to amend the Water and Sewer Ordinances to make landlords and banks in case of foreclosures responsible for remaining water/sewer balances. This will be sent to the Lawyer for approval at April meeting.

Water rate increase: Guy James made the motion to increase water rates from $11.50 for first 1500 gallons to $12.00 for the first 1500 gallons, and from 4.50 per thousand, to $5.00 per thousand, Charles Montgomery second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

Sewer rate increase: Guy James made the motion to increase sewer rates from $37.00 for the first 1500 gallons to $38.00 for the first 1500 gallons and from $4.50 per thousand to $5.00 per thousand, Charles Montgomery second the motion, roll call vote: Zach Wells, yes, Kevin Knott, yes, Guy James, yes, Mike Johnson, yes, Roy Woodmansee, yes, and Charles Montgomery, yes, motion approved.

Part Time Police Officers: The Village Police Department has a lack of part time Police Officers and we may need to research options for the future.

Summer Help: The Village will be accepting application for 2017 summer help. Must live in the Heritage School District and have a current driver's license. We will hire two. Applications will be accepted until third week April and interviews will be last week of April. They will start work when School is out.

Adjourn: Roy Woodmansee made the motion to adjourn, Guy James second the motion, all in favor motion approved. Adjourned 8:00pm

http://homervillage.com/images/all_minutes_march_17.pdf